Colchester: Town's MP pushes for UNESCO status (From Essex County Standard)

Colchester: Town's MP pushes for UNESCO status

9:00am Friday 30th October 2009

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Moves are under way to have historic Colchester recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Local MP Bob Russell believes the town’s built heritage is so worthy of preservation that it ranks alongside Georgian Bath, Stonehenge, the Tower of London and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - all holders of the coveted title.

Now he is taking the matter up with Colchester Council, and, if members decide to go to take the first steps towards listing, has promised to promote their cause at parliamentary level.

“I think Colchester merits consideration through its status as the first capital of Roman Britain,” he said.

“We have so much: the Roman wall, the Gosbecks site, Boudicca, Britain’s only Roman racing circuit, the Norman castle, the rich culture of the Dutch Quarter, the Siege of Colchester during the Civil War, right through to our Victorian barracks and ‘Twinkle, twinkle, little star’ nursery rhyme.

“I am going to suggest to the borough council that they consider going for world heritage site status.”

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